Congressman Donald Payne has re-scheduled mark-up of H.R. 2003 for July 18, 2007, at 10:15 a.m. We thank Congressman Payne for his commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights in Ethiopia.
On June 26, 2007 (the initial scheduled date for mark-up of H.R. 2003), Zenawi tried to pull the usual “fast one” on Congress by threatening to take the Kality political prisoners hostage. He effectively blackmailed the
members of the Committee by threatening to indefinitely jail the Qality prisoners should the bill be marked-up. At the time, Zenawi’s regime had requested a 2-week postponement of the mark-up so that a negotiated release of the Kality prisoners could be effected. The regime had calculated that it could derail the bill by removing it from the June 26 calendar.
Liar, Liar…
The Qality prisoners were supposed to have been released on or before July 9, 2007, the date set for their “sentencing” by Zenawi’s Kangaroo Kourt. That date, as usual was continued to July 16. With the rescheduled mark-up date, it appears crystal clear that both Payne and the numerous co-sponsors of the bill are no longer willing to put up with Zenawi’s “horsefeathers.”
Our Grassroots Advocacy Efforts Are Working!
Don’t Stop Calling! Don’t Stop Writing! Let’s Get One-Half of the Members of the House to Co-sponsor! There Has Been a Dramatic Increase in the Number of Co-sponsors This Week!
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE ZENAWI’S DETERMINATION TO DEFEAT H.R. 2003!
The massive telephone call and letter writing campaign we started this week is WORKING. DON’T STOP CALLING, WRITING!
Zenawi will spend millions to defeat H.R. 2003, and deny the people of Ethiopia the opportunity to enjoy freedom, democracy and human rights. He has already spent countless millions to defeat this bill and influence
American policy makers. He has unlimited amount money to pay lobbyists and others to defeat H.R. 2003.
Supporters of H.R. 2003 do not have millions of dollars to lobby in support of the bill. The only things we have in our struggle for human rights and freedom in our homeland are: TRUTH, JUSTICE AND THE HOLY CAUSES OF LIBERTY AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
We are standing up against the giant lobbying firm of DLA Piper. As David has defeated Goliath, we shall also defeat the mighty lobbying firm of DLA Piper. But we must struggle in every way to win. Our grassroots efforts in Congress are working! But we can not afford to let up! Zenawi’s boys are working double overtime to defeat H.R. 2003.
We must work harder than ever to defeat the merchants of misery who will lobby as long as they are paid a hefty sum for their services. KEEP CALLING ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. ASK THEM TO CO-SPONSOR H.R. 2003. WORK CLOSELY WITH THE OFFICE OF YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND GET THEM TO CO-SPONSOR THE BILL. ASK ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR H.R. 2003 IN COMMITTEE, AND RECOMMEND IT TO THE FLOOR FOR PASSAGE.
To Those Who Have Not Joined the Struggle for Human Rights in Ethiopia
If you are sitting on the fence thinking that your participation or contribution will not make a difference, or feel success in this legislation is unattainable, take heart in what President Abraham Lincoln said: “The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.”
The cause of freedom, democracy and human rights in Ethiopia is a Just Cause. Embrace it for yourself! Uphold and preserve it for generations yet unborn! Treasure it forever!
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SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING NOTICE
Committee on Foreign Affairs
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515-0128
Donald M. Payne (NJ), Chairman
July 12, 2007
TO: MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
You are respectfully requested to attend an OPEN meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, to be held
in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building, for the purpose of marking up the following
legislation:
DATE: Wednesday, July 18, 2007
TIME: 10:15 a.m.
MARKUP OF: H.R. 2003, Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007
NOTE: Measures may be added. By Direction of the Chairman
The Committee on Foreign Affairs seeks to make its facilities accessible to persons with disabilities. If you are in need of special accommodations, please call 202/225-5021 at least four business days in advance of the event, whenever practicable. Questions with regard to special accommodations in general (including availability of Committee materials in alternative formats and assistive listening devices) may be directed to the Committee.
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